Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-07
News by Telegraph
FROM ALL QUARTERS.
OUR MILITARY DEFENSE.
The Present Standing Of
The Army,
VOTING IN The BAY STATE.
Municipal Elections In Many
C tiles.
DIR. PARKER AND PLYMOUTH.
The Crown Prince Some
what Better.
DIR. PARKER AND PLYMOUTH.
rHE STANDING OF THE ARMY.

-
Some Interesting Points Taken From,
Secretary Endfcote,s RePort-An APP
proprIat1oR Recommended for the
Forging of steel Guns.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The Secretary of
Wars annual report shows that the depart
ment's expenditures during the fiscal year
were $4s, 1886, 155--and estimates the needs for
coming year at S53, 339.710 against an ap-
preparation for the current year of $31 ,055,
302 The largest item of increase is $22, )
$685. ISL for public works including river and
harbor improvements, the appropriation for
the current year being only 81, 308, 400. An
increase of about 81, 500, 900 for the military
establishment, army and military academy is
also asked for. The estimates for salaries
and contingent expenses are considerably less
than the current appropriation. The esti-
mates of the military establishment are based
upon the actual needs of the service, made
quate appropriations for transporting the
army having caused greatss embarrassment in
recent years. The report says the buildings,
Notifications, public works and grounds in
the division of the Atlantic are everywhere
in need of repairs. On the entire Atlantic
gulf coast line of 1870 miles and the
northern frontier of $3.50 miles the sole
armament is 142 rifled guns, of which 116
are obsolete and of low power. Even the
few guns that are mounted are but of little
value. Some are mounted on old carriages
and all are without adequate protection. Re-
ferring to General Sehoield's recommending
that guns and mortars be furnished to each
artillery post for target practice and artillery
instruction the Secretary says the department
recognizes the need of such practice and in
struction, but cannot comply with the rec
ommendation because it has no suitable guns
He hopes that if guns cannot be had for for
tifcations many will at least be appropriated
by Congress for the purchase or manufac-
ture of enough guns to employ the artillery
and fit them for an emergency The Secre-
tary strongly approves of the recommended
ton contained in General Sheridan's report
touching the extension of possible aid by the
government to the National Guard of the dir
ferent States and suggesting a system of
national encampments for State militia at the
expense of the national government.
Of the militia the report says: SIN compli-
ance with requests from State authorities the
annual encampments of the militia in thir-
teen States have been inspected by army
officers. This inspection has great advan-
tages by bringing we'll trained and instructed
soldiers IN contact with the militia and gives
an opportunity for Improvement not to
be obtained in any other way. The re-
ports of the several inspecting officers
are full of encouragement, friendly criticism
and suggestions to the militia" Favorable
endorsement is given General Sheridan's
recommendation that the present strength of
the army be increased by five thousand men
and attention is called to the Importance OF
an increase of the artillery arm of the service.
The report Gays shat the results attained in
the cavalry, artillery and infantry schools of
instruction justify the expectations of those
who established the schools. Touching the
military academy the Secretary endorses the
loki Of fIah 1oEx- Soik hat
the educational standard for admission be
raised and that knowledge of elementary
algebra and geometry be added to the require
ments Thus much valuable time would be
saved that might be devoted to other studies
after entering the academy and the number
of discharges made annually for deficiency
would be reduced. Reference is made to
the great arrearages in the business Of the
record and pension department of the sur
geon generals Office. Repeated efforts by
the department to secure greater expedition
having failed it was deemed necessary to re-
lieve the chief of the division and detail an
other officer in his place. Other changes
were made in the bureau. In less than
three months the great arrearage which ex-
listed was entirely reduced and it is now gen
orally understood that the work of the Office
is of the first Importance to which prefer
ence and convenience must yield and it has
been demonstrated that a large number of
cases Oh manu- Is uOG 6SS6uGlal 10 the 0IlCl6QL
and economical employment of the clerks.
Secretary Endicott says that, in view of the
great success attained by our steel makers, it
is apparent that the assurance that the outlay
for the necessary plant will prove remunera-
tive is all that is required to produce the
largest gun forging of suitable quality. 1t is
believed to be Of vital Importance that ap-
preparations be made by Congress until our
present need of modern guns is supplied and
the aid that our steel industry demands is
assured. AS a step in this direction an ap-
preparation of 81, 5O0,O00 for the forgings of
eight and ten inch steel guns is recommend
ed. The Secretary says: "The result of the
examinations for promotion under the civil
service regulations which were applied to
the War department in May were satisfac
tory. The total number OF clerks
examined was ,104, of whom 963 or 50 per
cent. passed, and of this number 353 or 50
per cent. obtained an average above % per
cent, 81 or 5 per cent. failed to pass, this
average being less than IS per cent. renew
the recommendations contained in my pre-
vious reports and in those of my predecessor
for the appointment of an assistant secretary
of war and of an assistant general to advise
and assist in the legal and technical questions
which daily occur. 1 must also refer to for
mer recommendations for the reorganization
of the force of this Office, the estimates for
which it is hoped, will receive the favorable
consideration of Congress"